Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 7:22

"And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them." — Luke 7:22 (ASV)

Jesus responds by listing the messianic works that he has accomplished. It was understood in those days that the true Messiah would not proclaim himself such but would first do appropriate messianic works that would lead to public acknowledgment of his identity. The works Jesus cites echo not only Isa 61, but other passages from Isaiah (e.g., 35:5–6; 62:7). Jesus pronounces a blessing (v.23) on the person who accepts his credentials rather than being trapped because of a false evaluation of Jesus.